Controversial Confederate statue on UNC campus toppled by protesters

CHAPEL HILL, NC - AUGUST 22: A Confederate statue, coined Silent Sam, is guarded by two layers of fence, chain and police on the campus of the University of Chapel Hill on August 22, 2017 in Chapel Hill North Carolina. Demonstrators rallied for its removal. (Photo by Sara D. Davis/Getty Images)

Posted Aug 20 2018 10:51PM EDT

Updated Aug 21 2018 07:05AM EDT

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — The controversial “Silent Sam” statue on the campus of the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill has been toppled by protesters.

WRAL-TV reports that more than 300 people gathered at the Peace and Justice Plaza at about 7:30 on Monday evening before marching to the Confederate statue’s base and calling for its removal. At 9 p.m., protesters had marched down Franklin Street before returning back to the statue’s base. By 9:30 “Silent Sam” was down.

There were some tense moments between police and protesters. One person was arrested and charged with concealing one’s face during a public rally and resisting arrest.

Students, faculty and alumni have called the statue a racist image and asked officials to remove it.

The statue was given to the university by the United Daughters of the Confederacy in 1909. It was erected in 1913.

Governor Roy Cooper's office released a statement late Monday night, saying: "Governor Cooper has been in contact with local law enforcement and UNC officials regarding tonight's rally and appreciates their efforts to keep people safe. The Governor understands that many people are frustrated by the pace of change and he shares their frustration, but violent destruction of public property has no place in our communities."